Liverpool v Cardiff predictions: Reds should ease past depleted cup visitors

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Liverpool v Cardiff in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday.

Where to watch

ITV, midday Sunday

Best bet

Liverpool to win & under 3.5 goals
1pt 20-21 BoyleSports

Team news

Liverpool
Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah are involved in the Afcon final but Harvey Elliott, Divock Origi and Naby Keita should return to the squad. Caoimhin Kelleher is set to start in goal with Alisson rested. New signing Luis Diaz is unlikely to feature.

Cardiff
Cody Drameh, Max Watters, Uche Ikpeazu and Alfie Doughty are cup-tied and Sean Morrison is a major injury doubt. Joe Ralls and Curtis Nelson will also be assessed.

Match preview

Cardiff claimed a much-needed 1-0 win at the Championship's bottom club Barnsley on Wednesday but the depleted second-tier strugglers look ill-equipped to upset Liverpool in the FA Cup fourth round.

Steve Morison's Bluebirds kept only their second clean sheet in 31 matches in all competitions at Oakwell and their defenders will have been cheering on Senegal and Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Lions of Teranga face the Pharaohs in Sunday's Afcon final, meaning that Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah are unavailable for Liverpool but the Reds should prove too classy for Cardiff despite their absence.

Jurgen Klopp's men have coped well without their star forwards, coming through a two-legged EFL Cup semi-final against Arsenal last month and beating Brentford 3-0 and Crystal Palace 3-1 in the Premier League.

Klopp does not have a fond relationship with the FA Cup, reaching the fifth round only once in six attempts and going out in the fourth round on four occasions.

This looks an ideal opportunity to clear that troublesome hurdle as Cardiff are enduring a tough season in the Championship and sold Wales striker Kieffer Moore to Bournemouth late in the transfer window.

Uche Ikpeazu arrived on loan from Middlesbrough and scored a debut winner at Barnsley but he is cup-tied and Cardiff may struggle to land a blow on the Liverpool defence.

Klopp shuffled his pack for the 4-1 third-round win over League One Shrewsbury, when late goals from Fabinho and Roberto Firmino put a gloss on the scoreline, and he will test his squad depth again in round four.

Liverpool have four league fixtures and a Champions League trip to Inter before the EFL Cup final against Chelsea at the end of the month so youngsters such as Tyler Morton and Kaide Gordon, who scored against Shrewsbury, can expect more playing time.

Liverpool may not need to be at their intense best to progress and backing a home win in a game featuring under 3.5 goals looks a solid wager.

Eleven of the Reds' 14 league victories this season have been to nil and they also kept three clean sheets in four EFL Cup ties.

Cardiff have lost all six of their games against top-four teams in the Championship, scoring only one goal, and they lack the personnel to trouble their Anfield hosts.

Key stat

Cardiff's clean sheet at Barnsley on Wednesday was their first shutout in 28 matches.

Inside info

Liverpool

Penalty taker James Milner
Free-kick wizard Trent Alexander-Arnold
Set-piece aerial threat Virgil van Dijk
Card magnet Fabinho

Cardiff

Penalty taker Joe Ralls
Free-kick wizardTommy Doyle
Set-piece aerial threatAden Flint
Card magnetMark McGuinness

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